Compel You’s Post

Since 2000, the share of American households donating to charity has plummeted from two-thirds to less than half, leaving nonprofits scrambling and experts warning of wide-ranging consequences. A new report from The Generosity Commission, a group of 17 experts from across the philanthropic sector, suggests this 'generosity crisis' could have far-reaching consequences for both nonprofits and civil society at large. Research shows that giving and volunteering are linked to increased civic engagement, community engagement, and even voter turnout. As these activities decline, experts worry about the broader impact on social cohesion and democracy. But the report also raises questions about the hard-to-pinpoint forces behind the downward trends: Is generosity declining, or merely shifting to new forms like crowdfunding and mutual aid? And what role do factors like economic instability, declining religious affiliation, and political polarization play? #Philanthropy #Giving #GivingCrisis #Generosity #Charity

Another week, another report. This one from The Generosity Commission which found that the share of U.S. households reporting donating to nonprofits fell from 65.4% in 2008 to 53% in 2016 to 49.6% in 2018, the last year with available data. To counteract this not-so-great trendline around giving and volunteering it makes the following research, culture, practice, and policy recommendations: *Increase the depth and breadth of data on giving and volunteering *Close the generosity evidence-to-practice gap *Encourage public figures and leaders in a broad range of fields to speak openly about how they give and volunteer, and how they have benefited from others’ giving and volunteering *Take youth seriously as givers and volunteers *Utilize all of philanthropy’s resources, tangible and intangible, in support of everyday giving and volunteering *Support community foundations to take a leading role in encouraging giving and volunteering *Reinforce the leadership role of businesses, as conveners of employees, to encourage their volunteerism and giving *Increase the availability of the charitable contribution tax deduction *Sufficiently fund the IRS Exempt Organizations division and state charity regulators and simplify regulatory compliance #giving #volulnteering #generosity #philanthropy https://lnkd.in/gk78jdvj

Today is Giving Tuesday, perhaps the one day in the year where it is clearest that the word giving has been appropriated to almost entirely focus on financial donations by the nonprofit community. As an antidote I offer you this article from Forbes magazine. #VolunteeringIsGivingToo

There is opportunity in the glum statistic that the share of U.S. households donating fell from 65.4% in 2008 to less than half in 2018, the last year such data exists. It means there is room to grow and realize positive change. "Declining generosity doesn’t harm only American nonprofits; it may also be affecting Americans. In a country suffering from an epidemic of loneliness, skyrocketing political polarization, and an undercurrent of unhappiness, experts argue that generosity may act as a sort of antidote." The Chronicle of Philanthropy I see much truth in this article. The more I offer back, the deeper my friendships become, the more insight I glean, and the bigger my world becomes.

🔗 **Season of Giving: Henry Buy Houses Birmingham in the Community** As the holiday season approaches, we at Henry Buy Houses Birmingham are reminded of the power of community and the significance of giving back. This time of year provides a valuable opportunity to not only reflect on our personal and professional achievements but also to extend our hands to those in need. 🏠 **Commitment to Community** Our mission has always been more than facilitating real estate transactions. We fervently believe in creating lasting impacts within our community. Over the years, Henry Buy Houses Birmingham has allocated resources to support various local initiatives that strive to uplift the underserved. 📈 **Giving Back During the Holidays** This season, our team is doubling down on efforts to provide tangible support. Through our collaboration with local shelters, food banks, and charitable organizations, we are facilitating donations of food, clothing, and essential supplies. Moreover, our team members are dedicating personal time to volunteer, emphasizing our commitment to hands-on involvement. 💡 **Why Community Engagement Matters** 1. **Building Trust and Relationships**: When we actively participate in community welfare, we cultivate trust and foster meaningful relationships. This, in turn, strengthens our community ties and reaffirms our dedication to social responsibility. 2. **Economic Stability**: Supporting local initiatives helps stimulate the local economy. By ensuring that basic needs are met, we are contributing to the economic stability and growth of our community. 3. **Inspiring Collective Action**: Our actions aim to inspire other businesses and individuals to engage in acts of kindness. Collective efforts can create a ripple effect leading to significant, positive change. 🎯 **Join Us in Making a Difference** We encourage our fellow professionals and local businesses to step into this season of giving with a similar ethos. Together, we can create a support system that extends beyond business and into heartfelt community service. Let’s leverage our resources, networks, and energies to provide for those in need. As we gear up for the year ahead, let’s remember that our true success lies in the strength and well-being of the communities we serve. #SeasonOfGiving #CommunityEngagement #HenryBuyHousesBirmingham #SocialResponsibility #CommunitySupport #ProfessionalGrowth 🙏 **Thank you for supporting a season of giving and making a difference.** - The Henry Buy Houses Birmingham Teamseriousserious

I was pleased to join the Giving Institute's excellent webinar today, "Reviving Generosity: The Heartbeat of Civil Society." The discussion centered around The Generosity Commission's powerful report, "Everyday Actions, Extraordinary Potential: The Power of Giving and Volunteering." The report highlights critical trends in generosity, including a concerning decline in the number of individuals donating to and volunteering with nonprofit organisations—despite an overall increase in total contributions. This poses significant challenges for community-based nonprofits that rely on widespread participation to meet local needs. Key insights and recommendations from the report include: * Enhancing research and data collection to understand better giving behaviours. * Fostering a culture of generosity through leadership and public figures. * Engaging youth in philanthropy to build the next generation of givers. * Exploring supportive policies, such as broader availability of charitable tax deductions. * Advocating for collaborative efforts across policymakers, businesses, and nonprofits to sustain the vital role of generosity in our communities. The webinar was a timely reminder of the pivotal role everyday givers and volunteers play in strengthening society's social fabric. Special thanks to Brenda Asare for her excellent hosting as well as the stellar panel made up of Alice Ayers, Sue Cunningham, Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA, and Wendy McGrady. And terrific to hear Sue Cunningham's shout-out for the Australian Govt Productivity Commission report's bold goal of doubling philanthropic giving in Australia by 2030. For anyone interested, I highly recommend reading the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e7yKDxj4. Let’s work together to promote and protect generosity's future.

A new landscape analysis by Benjamin Soskis, senior research associate at the Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, gives an overview of the factors contributing to the decline in giving and volunteering rates to nonprofits. It assesses the evidence for the “Dollars Up, Donors Down” dynamic and examines why this is a concern for the charitable sector. The report, shared by The Generosity Commission, outlines some of the most often cited explanations for the decline of donors and volunteers, including economic pressures, declining religious participation, reduced tax incentives for giving, increased social disconnection and the potential of displacement of giving with new forms of giving and prosocial behavior. Download the Report: https://lnkd.in/d3AXCa-D

LA fires: Thanks to Lex Roman for compiling so many valuable ways you can support.

Trust in nonprofits is up, yet people are leery of nonprofits advocating for social change. This is asking nonprofits to address problems with one hand tied behind their backs. Organizations addressing hunger in their communities know why people are hungry. Agencies assisting families know what leads to neglect reports. Groups working with those who experienced domestic violence know what keeps people safe and what doesn't. We should be trusting these experts - and encouraging them! - to raise their voices in the public square and with lawmakers. Human service agencies can do more than just plugging holes in the dam, they have a role in seeing that the dam actually gets fixed. https://lnkd.in/ehDmvgNi #nonprofit #humanservices #childwelfare #advocacy